Australia’s largest gold producer, Newcrest Mining (ASX: NCM), is moving to increase its stake in the Havieron gold-copper project that it is developing with Greatland Gold (AIM:GGP) in the Paterson region of Western Australia.
Newcrest, which is the JV manager, has already earned 70% of the project via a farm-in agreement and has an option to acquire an additional 5% from Greatland at a price to be agreed.
The two companies said the option exercise price is expected to be set in mid-February 2022.
The proceeds will be used first to repay the outstanding balance under the Newcrest loan facility, Greatland said in the statement.
The recent Havieron prefeasibility study outlined capital costs of A$529 million for a 2 million tonne per year operation to produce 160,000 ounces of gold and 6,900 tonnes of copper at an all-in sustaining cost of US$990 per oz. over nine years. Processing will take place at Newcrest’s nearby mill at the Telfer copper-gold mine.
Newcrest also has the conditional right to an additional 10% joint venture stake, which would bring its participation up to 70%. The gold giant would have a 75% stake if both options are exercised.
The Melbourne-based company has been aggressively searching for juniors with appealing assets to jointly develop.
In 2019, it acquired a 70% stake in Canada’s Red Chris copper and gold mine from Imperial Metals (TSX: III).
Last month, it bought all the outstanding common shares of Pretium Resources (TSX: PVG, NYSE: PVG) it does not already own in a deal that valued the Canadian miner at US$2.8 billion.
The Paterson region hosts several large gold and/or copper deposits such as Nifty, Winu and Newcrest’s own Telfer.
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